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Slava Kravtsov was thrilled to make his NBA debut Friday for the Detroit Pistons even if, as he noted, "the first time I stepped on the court was not our coach's decision." It has been that kind of season for Kravtsov, the Ukrainian import who went 28 games without playing before getting some garbage time against the lowly Washington Wizards in a 100-68 win. He enjoyed it, even if it came in particularly strange fashion. Kravtsov's debut came about because Rodney Stuckey took a whack to the mouth which knocked loose a tooth -- he was expected to travel with the team to tonight's rematch in Washington -- leaving Wizards coach Randy Wittman to select the free-throw shooter when Stuckey had to go directly to the Pistons' locker room with 10:03 remaining. Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Slava Kravtsov 

But what about Slava Kravtsov? The rookie center from the Ukraine is the only player on the Pistons roster who has yet to appear in a game this season. He's dressed a handful of times but has yet to hit the court in a regular-season game. Wouldn't a stint the D-League – even a short one – be beneficial for the 6-foot-11 Kravtsov? "We've talked about it," coach Lawrence Frank said Thursday. "Joe (Dumars) and George (David, assistant general manager) kind of handle that in terms of the timing with it. But I think it would be great for Slava. He wants to play. He's gotten a lot stronger. He's worked on his upper body. Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, D-League, Slava Kravtsov 

Detroit Pistons center Slava Kravtsov has plenty to overcome. He's an NBA rookie. The Ukrainian never lived in the U.S. before signing with the Pistons this summer. And then, there's Kravtsov's balky English, although that isn't always just restricted to him, Pistons coach Lawrence Frank joked. "He's battling a lot," Frank said, "because not only is he battling a guy who speaks a different language, but I speak a really different language, being from New Jersey." Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Slava Kravtsov 

"One of the tendencies is this: Everything you say is (nods head affirmatively, to indicate comprehension), and really it's (shakes head negatively)," Frank said. "They don't (understand). So what you have to be, like with anyone, is, 'Hey, I get it if you don't understand.' Just think about the cultural assimilation one has to make." Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Slava Kravtsov 

The Pistons and Ukrainian big man Slava Kravtsov have reached a verbal agreement, and he will be a Piston next week, despite an overseas report this week that said his Ukrainian team was reminding folks that Kravtsov has one year remaining on his contract, leading to buyout issues. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Slava Kravtsov